Report of the University Curriculum Committee August 7, 2008 The University Curriculum Committee recommends approval of the following: 1. New Courses ASTR 109. Big Bang and Black Holes. (3-0). Credit 3. Designed to give an intuitive understanding of the Big Bang and Black Holes, without mathematics, and de-mystify them for the non-scientist. Cross-listed with PHYS 109. BMEN 402. Biomedical Optics Laboratory. (2-3). Credit 3. Biomedical optics technology; basic engineering principles used in developing therapeutic and diagnostic devices; hands-on labs including optical monitoring, diagnostic and therapeutic experiments. Prerequisite: PHYS 208 or approval of instructor. BMEN 426. Optical Biosensors. (3-0). Credit 3. Biosensing principles and detailed analysis of optical methods for transduction; fluorescence-based transduction; molecular recognition of targets; immobilization of sensing reagents; quantitative analysis of sensing systems; design and characterization of sensing assays and associated measurement systems; review of historical and current trends in optical biosensors. Prerequisite: Senior classification or approval of instructor. BMEN 451. Cell Mechanobiology. (3-0). Credit 3. Focus on how mechanical forces influence cell behavior through physical and biochemical mechanisms; integration of engineering and cell biology to solve biomedical problems, which includes developing models for applying forces to cultured cells and tissues and measuring changes in cell biochemistry, structure, and function. Prerequisites: BMEN 282 and admitted to major degree sequence in biomedical engineering. BMEN 483. Polymeric Biomaterial Synthesis. (3-0). Credit 3. Overview of polymer synthetic routes and key structure-property relationships with emphasis on the design of polymeric systems to achieve specific properties; tissue engineering and drug delivery applications will be used as model systems to explore the process of biomaterial design from synthesis to device evaluation. Prerequisite: BMEN 343 or approval of instructor. BMEN 486. Biomedical Nanotechnology. (3-0). Credit 3. Nanotechnology applications in biomedicine; concepts of scale; unique properties at the nanoscale; biological interaction, transport, and biocompatibility of nanomaterials; current research and development of nanotechnology for medical applications, including sensors, diagnostic tools, drug delivery systems, therapeutic devices, and interactions of cells and biomolecules with nanostructured surfaces. Prerequisite: BMEN 343, senior classification or approval of instructor. CPSC 222. Discrete Structures for Computing. (3-0). Credit 3. Provide mathematical foundations from discrete mathematics for analyzing computer algorithms, for both correctness and performance; introduction to models of computation, including finite state machines and Turing machines. Prerequisite: MATH 151. Cross-listed with ECEN 222. ECEN 222. Discrete Structures for Computing. (3-0). Credit 3. Provide mathematical foundations from discrete mathematics for analyzing computer algorithms, for both correctness and performance; introduction to models of computation, including finite state machines and Turing machines. Prerequisite: MATH 151. Cross-listed with CPSC 222.
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Report of the University Curriculum Committee August 7, 2008 The University Curriculum Committee recommends approval of the following: 1. New Courses
ASTR 109. Big Bang and Black Holes. (3-0). Credit 3. Designed to give an intuitive understanding of the Big Bang and Black Holes, without mathematics, and de-mystify them for the non-scientist. Cross-listed with PHYS 109. BMEN 402. Biomedical Optics Laboratory. (2-3). Credit 3. Biomedical optics technology; basic engineering principles used in developing therapeutic and diagnostic devices; hands-on labs including optical monitoring, diagnostic and therapeutic experiments. Prerequisite: PHYS 208 or approval of instructor. BMEN 426. Optical Biosensors. (3-0). Credit 3. Biosensing principles and detailed analysis of optical methods for transduction; fluorescence-based transduction; molecular recognition of targets; immobilization of sensing reagents; quantitative analysis of sensing systems; design and characterization of sensing assays and associated measurement systems; review of historical and current trends in optical biosensors. Prerequisite: Senior classification or approval of instructor. BMEN 451. Cell Mechanobiology. (3-0). Credit 3. Focus on how mechanical forces influence cell behavior through physical and biochemical mechanisms; integration of engineering and cell biology to solve biomedical problems, which includes developing models for applying forces to cultured cells and tissues and measuring changes in cell biochemistry, structure, and function. Prerequisites: BMEN 282 and admitted to major degree sequence in biomedical engineering. BMEN 483. Polymeric Biomaterial Synthesis. (3-0). Credit 3. Overview of polymer synthetic routes and key structure-property relationships with emphasis on the design of polymeric systems to achieve specific properties; tissue engineering and drug delivery applications will be used as model systems to explore the process of biomaterial design from synthesis to device evaluation. Prerequisite: BMEN 343 or approval of instructor. BMEN 486. Biomedical Nanotechnology. (3-0). Credit 3. Nanotechnology applications in biomedicine; concepts of scale; unique properties at the nanoscale; biological interaction, transport, and biocompatibility of nanomaterials; current research and development of nanotechnology for medical applications, including sensors, diagnostic tools, drug delivery systems, therapeutic devices, and interactions of cells and biomolecules with nanostructured surfaces. Prerequisite: BMEN 343, senior classification or approval of instructor. CPSC 222. Discrete Structures for Computing. (3-0). Credit 3. Provide mathematical foundations from discrete mathematics for analyzing computer algorithms, for both correctness and performance; introduction to models of computation, including finite state machines and Turing machines. Prerequisite: MATH 151. Cross-listed with ECEN 222.
ECEN 222. Discrete Structures for Computing. (3-0). Credit 3. Provide mathematical foundations from discrete mathematics for analyzing computer algorithms, for both correctness and performance; introduction to models of computation, including finite state machines and Turing machines. Prerequisite: MATH 151. Cross-listed with CPSC 222.
Report of the University Curriculum Committee August 7, 2008 Page 2 2. Withdrawal of Courses CPSC 435. Structured Programming in Ada.
CPSC 437. Engineering Software Products.
3. Change in Courses
CPSC 221. Data Structures and Algorithms. Prerequisites From: CPSC 113 or 121; corequisite MATH 202. To: CPSC 113 or 121; corequisite CPSC 222. CPSC 411. Design and Analysis of Algorithms. Prerequisites From: CPSC 221, 315; MATH 302. To: CPSC 221 and 315. PHYS 109. Big Bang and Black Holes.
Course Description From: Designed to give an intuitive understanding of the Big Bang and Black
Holes, without mathematics, and de-mystify it for the non-scientist. To: Designed to give an intuitive understanding of the Big Bang and Black
Holes, without mathematics, and de-mystify them for the non-scientist. Cross-listing From: None To: ASTR 109 Lab Hours, Credit Hours From: (3-2). Credit 4. To: (3-0). Credit 3.
Report of the University Curriculum Committee August 7, 2008 Page 3 4. Change in Curriculum Dwight Look College of Engineering Interdepartmental Degree Program B.S. in Computer Engineering Computer Science Track Electrical Engineering Track
Report of the University Curriculum Committee August 7, 2008 Page 4 5. Change in Curriculum Dwight Look College of Engineering Department of Computer Science B.S. in Computer Science
Report of the University Curriculum Committee August 7, 2008 Page 5 6. Special Consideration Dwight Look College of Engineering Department of Computer Science Minor in Computer Science – Requirement Changes
ASTR 109: Introduction to Cosmology Fall 2008
Course objectives: This course is designed to give an intuitive understanding of the Big Bang and Black Holes, without mathematics, and de-mystify it for non-scientists. The primary goal is for students to learn about the origin and evolution of the Cosmos and communicate their understanding using their own words to a lay audience. Prerequisites: None Instructor: Prof. David Toback Office: Engineering-Physics Building, Room 423 Phone: 845-1179
Email: [email protected] http://faculty.physics.tamu.edu/toback/289 for course materials Textbook: “Big Bang, Black Holes, No Math”, by Toback (handouts)
“A Briefer History of Time,” by Hawking and Mlodinow “Theory of Everything,” by Hawking “Stephen Hawkings’s Universe,” by Filkin “The First Three Minutes,” by Weinberg Other readings to be downloaded from the web Course Work and Grading: The bulk of the grade for this course is in the writing component. A premium will be placed on the ability to understand and convey the excitement about science, cosmology and the physical universe to the lay reader. By percentage the grade is based on:
• Papers: two short papers (20% each) and one longer, independent reading paper (35%) • In-class quizzes: 15% • WebCT Quizzes: 10%
2
Writing Assignments: (More information is on the course website) Short Essay1: In the essay (2 pages, double spaced), the student will be asked to explain, in plain language: “Why do scientists believe in the Big Bang?” It should
• Use only language that can be understood a lay-person • Clearly answer the question, what “IS” the Big Bang theory • Outline the issues, as well as provide an overview of the arguments and evidence • Clearly, concisely and directly answer the question
A first draft of the paper will be due during the 7th week of class Short Essay 2: In the essay (2 pages, double spaced), the student will be asked to explain, in plain language: “Why would the experimental discovery of Supersymmetric Particles help us understand the Universe?” It should:
• Use only language that can be understood by a lay-person • Clearly answer the questions about the evidence for there being dark matter in the
Universe, • Clearly describe the Supersymetric model and why it could provide a dark matter
candidate • Describe how particle physics experiments could confirm this theory if true • Clearly, concisely and directly illuminate the connection between particle physics and
Cosmology A first draft of the paper will be due on during the last week of class Research Paper: This project asks the student to pick an important topic that is not covered in the class, but is highly related and pursue it for further study. A list of topics will be provided, but include String Theory, Dark Energy, The Black Hole Information Paradox, and Large Extra Dimensions. They will then summarize their understanding for the lay person in a paper (5 pages, double spaced). A proposal must be submitted before the final paper is started. It should:
• Use only language that can be understood by a lay-person • Clearly explain what the topic is and why it is important and interesting and the
compelling reasons it should be pursued for further study by scientists • Detail how it relates to the other topics in the class • Makes arguments for the topic, including experimental or theoretical evidence • Clearly distinguishes between what is “established” and what is “speculation” • Makes clear what the issues are that are most pressing and those are deserving of further
study • Makes clear what is most important for the reader
The proposal will be due the 10th week of class and the final paper will be due on the last day of class. Description of the writing instruction: Each writing assignment will be discussed both in class and in outside help sessions with the teaching assistant. During these times the topics will be discussed and effective methods of
3
conveying the information will be illuminated. Each student will be encouraged to submit as many drafts as necessary to produce an excellent final paper. Feedback, written and in rubric form, will be provided with each iteration designed to help polish the documents into a clear, concise and readable form. The instructor and TA will be available to discuss papers during the drafting process. Only the best draft will count towards the final grade. ADA Policy The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Department of Student Life, Services for Students with Disabilities, in 188B Cain Hall or call 845-1637. Honor Code The Aggie Honor Code states, “An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do.” Further information regarding the Honor Council Rules and Procedures may be found on the web at http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor .
4
50-Word Summary: This course is designed to give an intuitive understanding of the Big Bang and Black Holes, without mathematics, and de-mystify it for non-scientists.
Title: BMEN 402 Biomedical Optics Laboratory Instructor: Brian E. Applegate
[email protected] Ph: 862-6521 Office: Zachry Room 335F Textbook: Optics by Hecht Course Description: Biomedical optics technology; basic engineering principles used in developing therapeutic and diagnostic devices; hands-on labs will be performed including optical monitoring, diagnostic and therapeutic experiments. Prerequisites: PHYS 208 or approval of instructor. Week Topic Theory/Lab 1 Introduction, Laser Safety, ANSI standards 2/3 2-3 Biomedical Optics Laboratory Fundamentals: Diffraction, ray optics, & collimation 4/6 4 Introduction to Optical Fibers: Catheters, optical delivery, preparation of fibers, 2/3 optical coupling 5 Optical Interferometric Biosensing: Michelson, Fabry-Perot Interferometry for 2/3 Biomedical applications 6 Fundamental Opto-Electronic Signal Detection: Fundamentals of photo-detectors, 2/3 diodes, and diode lasers 7 Absorption and Fluorescence spectroscopy for biosensing: Hemoglobin oximetry 2/3 and ICG angiography 8 MIE theory for identifying scatter size 2/3 9 quantitative measurement of scattering in biological tissues 2/3 10-11 Polarimetric Quantification of Chiral Substances & Birefringence 4/6 12 Optical Coherence Tomography 2/3 13 Time resolved fluorescence 2/3 14 Optical Biosensor design 2/3 Total: 28/42 Grading: Lab Reports (includes lab report & prelab questions) 80% 90-100 A
Midterm 10% 80-89 B Final Exam 10% 70-79 C 60-69 D 0-59 F PreLabs: PreLabs are due at the beginning of the lab period. Late prelabs will not be accepted, except in case of University excused absence (see http://student-rules.tamu.edu/rule7.htm). Lab Reports: Lab reports are due by the end of lecture (Monday) the week following the completion of the lab. Lab reports will be considered late there after and penalized one letter grade for each week late, except in case of University excused absence (see http://student-rules.tamu.edu/rule7.htm). University policy on plagiarism: As commonly defined, plagiarism consists of passing off as one’s own the ideas, words, writings, etc. which belong to another. In accordance with this definition, you are committing plagiarism if you copy the work of another person and turn it in as your own, even if you should have permission of that person. If you have any questions regarding plagiarism, please consult the latest issue of the Texas A&M University Student Rules, under the section “Scholastic Dishonesty”. University-Approved Absences:
• Work missed due to absences will only be excused for University-approved activities in accordance with TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY STUDENT RULES (see http://student-rules.tamu.edu/rule7.htm). Specific arrangements for make-up work in such instances will be handled on a case-by-case basis. This will only be possible if the student lets the instructor know about this absence with at least a week in advance. (Obviously this restriction does not apply to medical or personal emergencies).
• “University-Approved Absences” are for activities formally scheduled with the Department of Student Activities (see: 7. Attendance, http://student-rules.tamu.edu). There are two kinds of activities: Authorized Activities (associated with classes), and Sponsored Activities (generally student organization activities). Just because an activity is suggested by a faculty member, it does not necessarily mean it is a “University-Approved Activity.” Additional details are available at: http://stuact.tamu.edu/activitylist/letter.html.
• In accordance with recent changes to Rule 7, please be aware that in this class any "injury or illness that is too severe or contagious for the student to attend class" will require "a medical confirmation note from his or her medical provider" even if the absence is for less than 3 days.
(Continued on next page)
Syllabus Continued: BMEN 402 Biomedical Optics Laboratory The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact Disability Services, in Cain Hall, Room B118, or call 845-1637. For additional information visit http://disability.tamu.edu. Academic Misconduct
• Academic misconduct (see http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor/acadmisconduct.htm for definitions) will not be tolerated. • Academic misconduct will be dealt with according to University Regulations.
Aggie Honor Code “An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate those who do.” It is the responsibility of students and instructors to help maintain scholastic integrity at the university by refusing to participate in or tolerate scholastic dishonesty. Conduct contradicting to this policy will be punished according to the current rules and regulations. For details, see http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor/
Course: BMEN 426
Title: Optical Biosensors
Instructor: Mike McShane, 335K Zachry, Phone: 845-7941, e-mail: [email protected] Description: Biosensing principles and detailed analysis of optical methods for transduction; fluorescence-based transduction; molecular recognition of targets; immobilization of sensing reagents; quantitative analysis of sensing systems; design and characterization of sensing assays and associated measurement systems; review of historical and current trends in optical biosensors. Prerequisites: Senior classification or approval of instructor Reference Texts: Optical Biosensors: Present and Future by Ligler and Taitt, Elsevier. Principles of Fluorescence Spectroscopy by Lakowicz, 3rd Edition, Springer. Fluorescent Probes in Cellular and Molecular Biology by Jan Slavik, CRC Press. Additional articles and reading materials posted on BlackBoard (WebCT) Outline of Subject Matter Hours Biosensing principles....................................................................................3 Sensor figures of merit..................................................................................3 Fluorescence and fluorophores .....................................................................6 Optical transduction methods ..................................................................... 4 Molecular recognition................................................................................. 6 Steady-state responses ................................................................................ 6 Immobilization methods ............................................................................. 3 Transport and kinetics................................................................................. 3 Biosensor devices .........................................................................................8 Total............................................................................................................ 42 Evaluation: Exams 60% 90-100 A Design project 20% 80-89 B Homework/Laboratory work 20% 70-79 C 100% 60-69 D 0-59 F
• Homework will be assigned to assist in preparation for exams. It will not be collected, but will be discussed in class
meetings. • Attendance: Only University excused absences will be accepted for makeup exams/quizzes to be given. • Note: It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements to reschedule exams/quizzes. Without exception,
exams and quizzes must be completed in accordance with University Rules found online at http://student-rules.tamu.edu/rule7.htm.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact Disability Services, in Cain Hall, Room B118, or call 845-1637. For additional information visit http://disability.tamu.edu.
Academic Integrity “Aggies do not lie, cheat, or steal, nor do they tolerate those who do.”
“It is the responsibility of students and instructors to help maintain scholastic integrity at the university by refusing to participate in or tolerate scholastic dishonesty.” (20. Scholastic Dishonesty (Revised: 2002), http://student-rules.tamu.edu/)
Title: BMEN 451 Cell Mechanobiology Instructor: Roland Kaunas
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University [email protected]
Office Hours: by appointment in Zachry Room 336B Suggested Textbook: * Cooper et al., The Cell: A Molecular Approach, Sinauer Associates, Inc. Course Description: Focus on how mechanical forces influence cell behavior through physical and biochemical mechanisms; integrating engineering and cell biology to solve biomedical problems, which includes developing models for applying forces to cultured cells and tissues and measuring changes in cell biochemistry, structure and function. Prerequisites: BMEN 282 & Admitted to major degree sequence in biomedical engineering Hours Topic 1 Introduction & Class Expectations 4 Review of Cell Biology 4 Cytoskeletal Structure and Dynamics 3 Modeling Cell Migration 4 Viscoelasticity 6 Methods for Testing the Mechanical Properties of Cells 4 Models of the Mechanical Properties of Cells
2 Effects of Fluid and Solid Stress/Strain on Cells 2 Simulating Physiological Forces in Cell Culture 4 Mechanotransduction Pathways 2 Tissue Architecture 3 Cell Mechanobiology in Growth and Remodeling 3 **Student Presentations** 42 Total
* There will also be supplemental reading (handouts) distributed throughout the semester.
Grading: Homework 10% 90-100 A Midterm Oral Exam 20% 80-89 B
Final Oral Exam 30% 70-79 C Midterm Presentation 10% 60-69 D Project Presentation 30% 0-59 F Exams: Exams are oral and will be scheduled one week prior to administration of exam Late Assignments: Late assignments resulting from occasions other than excused absences are subject to penalty. University policy on plagiarism: As commonly defined, plagiarism consists of passing off as one’s own the ideas, words, writings, etc. which belong to another. In accordance with this definition, you are committing plagiarism if you copy the work of another person and turn it in as your own, even if you should have permission of that person. If you have any questions regarding plagiarism, please consult the latest issue of the Texas A&M University Student Rules, under the section “Scholastic Dishonesty”. Attendance: “The university views class attendance as an individual student responsibility. Students are expected to attend classes and to complete all assignments” (online from the Texas A&M University Regulations). The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact Disability Services, in Cain Hall, Room B118, or call 845-1637. For additional information visit http://disability.tamu.edu.
Academic Integrity Aggie Code of Honor: "Aggies do not lie, cheat, or steal, nor do they tolerate those who do." “It is the responsibility of students to help maintain scholastic integrity at the university by refusing to participate in or tolerate scholastic dishonesty.” (http://student-rules.tamu.edu/)
Course: BMEN 486 Course Title: Biomedical Nanotechnology Instructor: Mike McShane, 335K Zachry
Phone: 845-7941, e-mail: [email protected] Textbook: TBA. Reference Texts: Nanomedicine, Vol. I: Basic Capabilities, by Robert Freitas, Landes Bioscience. Nanostructures and Nanomaterials, Cao, Imperial College Press Nanobiotechnology: Concepts, Applications, and Perspectives by Niemeyer and Mirkin, Wiley/VCH. Nano- And Micro-Electromechanical Systems: Fundamentals of Nano- and Microengineering by Sergey Edward Lyshevski, CRC Press. Description: Nanotechnology applications in biomedicine; concepts of scale; unique properties at the nanoscale; biological interaction, transport, and biocompatibility of nanomaterials; current research and development of nanotechnology for medical applications, including sensors, diagnostic tools, drug delivery systems, therapeutic devices, and interactions of cells and biomolecules with nanostructured surfaces. Prerequisites: BMEN 343, senior classification, or instructor approval Outline of Subject Matter Hours Concepts of Scale; Basic nanomaterials and their properties.................. 3 Biomolecules: Structure and function ..................................................... 3 Hybrid biomaterials ................................................................................. 3 Nanofabrication methods......................................................................... 3 Nanoscale characterization methods ....................................................... 3 Biocompatibility ...................................................................................... 3 Cell and molecule interactions with nanotopography ............................. 4 Nanosensors..............................................................................................4 Diagnostics with nanomaterials............................................................... 4 Drug delivery........................................................................................... 6 Optical and thermal therapeutics ............................................................. 6 42 Evaluation: Exams 40% 100-90%..........A Individual research paper 30% 80-89%............B
Homework 30% 70-79%............C 100% 60-69%............D
<60%...............F
• Homework will be assigned to assist in preparation for exams. It will not be collected, but will be discussed in class meetings.
• Attendance: Only University excused absences will be accepted for makeup exams/quizzes to be given. In accordance with University policies which can be found online at http://student-rules.tamu.edu/rule7.htm.
• Note: It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements to reschedule exams/quizzes. Exams and quizzes must be completed in accordance with University policies which can be found online at http://student-rules.tamu.edu/rule7.htm.
(Continued on page 2)
Page 2. BMEN 486 Biomedical Nanotechnology Syllabus Continued______________________
Americans with Disabilities Act The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal antidiscrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Department of Student Life, Services for Students with Disabilities in Room B118 of Cain Hall, or call 845-1637.
Academic Integrity Aggie Code of Honor: "Aggies do not lie, cheat, or steal, nor do they tolerate those who do." “It is the responsibility of students to help maintain scholastic integrity at the university by refusing to participate in or tolerate scholastic dishonesty,” which can be found online at http://student-rules.tamu.edu/rule20.htm.
PHYS 109: Introduction to Cosmology Fall 2008
Course objectives: This course is designed to give an intuitive understanding of the Big Bang and Black Holes, without mathematics, and de-mystify it for non-scientists. The primary goal is for students to learn about the origin and evolution of the Cosmos and communicate their understanding using their own words to a lay audience. Prerequisites: None Instructor: Prof. David Toback Office: Engineering-Physics Building, Room 423 Phone: 845-1179
Email: [email protected] http://faculty.physics.tamu.edu/toback/289 for course materials Textbook: “Big Bang, Black Holes, No Math”, by Toback (handouts)
“A Briefer History of Time,” by Hawking and Mlodinow “Theory of Everything,” by Hawking “Stephen Hawkings’s Universe,” by Filkin “The First Three Minutes,” by Weinberg Other readings to be downloaded from the web Course Work and Grading: The bulk of the grade for this course is in the writing component. A premium will be placed on the ability to understand and convey the excitement about science, cosmology and the physical universe to the lay reader. By percentage the grade is based on:
• Papers: two short papers (20% each) and one longer, independent reading paper (35%) • In-class quizzes: 15% • WebCT Quizzes: 10%
2
Writing Assignments: (More information is on the course website) Short Essay1: In the essay (2 pages, double spaced), the student will be asked to explain, in plain language: “Why do scientists believe in the Big Bang?” It should
• Use only language that can be understood a lay-person • Clearly answer the question, what “IS” the Big Bang theory • Outline the issues, as well as provide an overview of the arguments and evidence • Clearly, concisely and directly answer the question
A first draft of the paper will be due during the 7th week of class Short Essay 2: In the essay (2 pages, double spaced), the student will be asked to explain, in plain language: “Why would the experimental discovery of Supersymmetric Particles help us understand the Universe?” It should:
• Use only language that can be understood by a lay-person • Clearly answer the questions about the evidence for there being dark matter in the
Universe, • Clearly describe the Supersymetric model and why it could provide a dark matter
candidate • Describe how particle physics experiments could confirm this theory if true • Clearly, concisely and directly illuminate the connection between particle physics and
Cosmology A first draft of the paper will be due on during the last week of class Research Paper: This project asks the student to pick an important topic that is not covered in the class, but is highly related and pursue it for further study. A list of topics will be provided, but include String Theory, Dark Energy, The Black Hole Information Paradox, and Large Extra Dimensions. They will then summarize their understanding for the lay person in a paper (5 pages, double spaced). A proposal must be submitted before the final paper is started. It should:
• Use only language that can be understood by a lay-person • Clearly explain what the topic is and why it is important and interesting and the
compelling reasons it should be pursued for further study by scientists • Detail how it relates to the other topics in the class • Makes arguments for the topic, including experimental or theoretical evidence • Clearly distinguishes between what is “established” and what is “speculation” • Makes clear what the issues are that are most pressing and those are deserving of further
study • Makes clear what is most important for the reader
The proposal will be due the 10th week of class and the final paper will be due on the last day of class. Description of the writing instruction: Each writing assignment will be discussed both in class and in outside help sessions with the teaching assistant. During these times the topics will be discussed and effective methods of
3
conveying the information will be illuminated. Each student will be encouraged to submit as many drafts as necessary to produce an excellent final paper. Feedback, written and in rubric form, will be provided with each iteration designed to help polish the documents into a clear, concise and readable form. The instructor and TA will be available to discuss papers during the drafting process. Only the best draft will count towards the final grade. ADA Policy The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Department of Student Life, Services for Students with Disabilities, in 188B Cain Hall or call 845-1637. Honor Code The Aggie Honor Code states, “An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do.” Further information regarding the Honor Council Rules and Procedures may be found on the web at http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor .
4
50-Word Summary: This course is designed to give an intuitive understanding of the Big Bang and Black Holes, without mathematics, and de-mystify it for non-scientists.
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